Standing straw auctions set the trend

One of the first main standing straw sales in the south west set an expensive marker when Kivells & Husseys sold almost 2,400 acres of wheat, barley and oat straw in Devon recently.

Prices for 790 acres of winter barley straw ranged from £105/acre to £148/acre, averaging £131/acre, while 815 acres of wheat straw made between £60 and £145/acre near Broadclyst, averaging £88.15/acre.

Winter oat straw averaged £88.50/acre with spring oats selling from £72 to £90/acre.

In Cheshire, 291 acres of wheat straw sold by Frank R Marshall averaged £48/acre. The firm’s regular weekly produce sale saw new season small bale hay make between £175/t and £230/t, with new season big bale hay at £80/t to £142/t.